KineticSG Alliance Partners
Major General Jeff Newell, USAF, Retired
Jeff Newell is a dynamic leader, analyst and advisor with more than 30 years of experience in critical roles in the U.S. Air Force and, more recently, the private sector. From developing strategy and policy at the highest levels of the Air Force and Joint Staff, to managing alliances across Asia and North America, developing new leaders, encouraging innovation and cost-effective modernization, to carrying the “nuclear football” for the POTUS, Jeff helps KSG’s clients to improve their team’s performance, to better understand the playing field on which they operate and and scenario-plan for success.
Jeff’s other roles over his career include:
· Director of Strategy and Concepts for the United States Air Force
· Director of Strategy, Policy and Plans, U.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM) and NORAD
· Senior Military Advisor to the U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, U.S. Department of State
· Deputy Director for Political-Military Affairs for Asia, The Joint Staff
· Commander, 374th Airlift Wing, Tokyo, Japan
· Senior Military Fellow and Member, the Council on Foreign Relations
· Military Aide to the President of the United States
Today Jeff is Managing Partner at Paragon Analysis LLC and advises clients facing complex problems through rigorous analysis and policy formulation. His practice focuses on:
Defense Policy – Defense Sector Investment Advisory – Organizational Effectiveness – Emergency Management – Strategic Analysis – Foreign Market Political Risk
Jeff holds a Masters of Business Administration from the Darden School at the University of Virginia, a Masters in International Relations from Troy University and a Bachelors Degree in Aerospace Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology.
Alan Sobba
Alan Sobba is a highly respected advisor and advocate for companies in finance services, agriculture, energy, blockchain systems, technology, entertainment and sports. He has thirty years of experience working with all levels of decision makers, regulators and media on behalf of clients.
Alan has developed and maintained numerous high-level relationships in the US Senate, House of Representatives and Agencies beginning in 1985. Relationships are generally the fundamental building block to successful strategies and advice for clients. This also extends to working with private sector groups and trade associations.
In 2002 Alan was appointed by President George W. Bush to serve as Director of External Affairs for the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). In that position he was responsible for the coordination of all CFTC activities with the Congress, the White House and other governmental entities such as the Treasury Department, the Security and Exchange Commission, the Federal Reserve and the news media. More recently, as Chief Policy and Communications officer for the International Derivatives Clearing Group from 2008-2012 and CEO of Green and Grow, 2012-2016. He returned his focus to Sobba Public again in 2017 which he maintains as well today.
Most recently, he became a partner in a private investment company, UDHC, supporting early stage on-chain finance companies building products and services to increase the benefits of the blockchain technology.
Prior to these roles, Alan was Director of Government Relations office for the Commissioner of Baseball. He also chaired the informal sports internet working group, determining the value of streaming content. He also worked for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association in government affairs from 1985 to 1996.
Alan received his undergraduate degree from Kansas State University, an MBA degree from Arizona State University, and his law degree from the University of Kansas. He maintains offices in Houston, Texas and Washington, DC.